Breast Feeding in Public

[JustJoe]

I think that the main issue isn't about manners or "tact", but about women's rights. Men go without shirts all of the time, why can't women?

[CollectiveVelvet]

While it's natural to pick your nose in public, do you find it offensive when you see someone else doing it? Or is it that you also have a hang up?

 

No, I'm not 'offended' at all if someone decides to pick their nose. I just don't get the issue with this subject.

[Lauriebell82]

It's called compromise. Some people are uncomfortable with it completely, covered or not, but they just have to suck it up (no pun intended ) and be quiet. But I totally understand someone being uncomfortable with a woman laying her boobs out for all to see. I mean, we don't do that when we AREN'T breastfeeding. Why would a woman feel more comfortable doing so just because there's a baby attached to one of 'em?

 

I don't think that's a compromise at all. Women still get to breastfeed in public, covered up or not. And people who are uncomfortable have to "Suck it up" and look the other way? It sounds like the women who breastfeed in public make out on the deal..

 

I don't see a compromise anywhere honestly.

[Lauriebell82]

So much for trying to understand your point of view.

 

I just don't get having a hang up about something that has zero to do with you.

 

We have to see people doing it, I don't think we have zero to do with it at all!

 

And yes, we could look away and all, but come on. You see a woman with her breasts hanging out, it's kind of hard not to look regardless of whether she has a baby attached.

[donnamaybe]

I don't think that's a compromise at all. Women still get to breastfeed in public, covered up or not. And people who are uncomfortable have to "Suck it up" and look the other way? It sounds like the women who breastfeed in public make out on the deal..

 

No, the baby "makes out on the deal," or are we forgetting there is a baby trying to be fed in all this?

 

Good gawd!

[Lauriebell82]

No, the baby "makes out on the deal," or are we forgetting there is a baby trying to be fed in all this?

 

Good gawd!

 

Okay, true.

 

But, the baby can STILL be fed without making other's feel uncomfortable.

[Minnie09]

Why would anyone be bothered by a breastfeeding woman?

I guess that's our American double standard. Look at the rest of the world! Women sunbathe topless on the beaches everywhere!

In the US, guys pay for titty-bars, but feel grossed out if the see a mother nursing? Hello?

Seriously, a discussion like this one only happens in a nation like this.

Beyond sad.

[donnamaybe]

Okay, true.

 

But, the baby can STILL be fed without making other's feel uncomfortable.

 

And that's why I used a receiving blanket.

[Lauriebell82]

And that's why I used a receiving blanket.

 

Right, however a lot of women DON'T do that. I would not be as uncomfortable seeing a women with a blanket then one who is just pulling down her shirt for all to see.

[Kasan]

Well I am wondering just how often this baby needs to be fed that we are discussing?

 

I scheduled my outings around my baby's feedings. Doesn't anyone do this anymore?

[JustJoe]

A woman should be able to do anything a man can do in public. A fail to see how a bare breast could ever be considered offensive.

[donnamaybe]

Well I am wondering just how often this baby needs to be fed that we are discussing?

 

I scheduled my outings around my baby's feedings. Doesn't anyone do this anymore?

 

Oh, please. Your baby only ate when you were home? If you had any other children, that is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE. I doubt your doctor would be able to schedule your son's boy scout physical around your baby's feeding time.

[Lauriebell82]

Well I am wondering just how often this baby needs to be fed that we are discussing?

 

I scheduled my outings around my baby's feedings. Doesn't anyone do this anymore?

 

Yeah, that's what I think too!!!!

 

The baby comes first, I would definately give up my own convience for the sake of the baby and other's comfort. I guess a lot of women just don't want to do that? I don't know.

[donnamaybe]

Right, however a lot of women DON'T do that. I would not be as uncomfortable seeing a women with a blanket then one who is just pulling down her shirt for all to see.

 

And most women also don't compare the act of breastfeeding with being trapped in an elevator with a farting man, or to a man scratching his ball sack either. I would think the ol' instincts would prevent such a disgusting comparison.

 

Then again, I knew a mare who, after she gave birth, refused to nurse her foal. I guess some have it and some don't.

[CollectiveVelvet]

In front of you, while you're trying to eat dinner at a nice restaurant? Hmmm...

 

How about being trapped in an elevator with someone who's comfortable to let off gas since it's a perfectly natural act, one that's good for the human body?

 

Sight and smell are two human senses and inhaling fumes shouldn't offend you anymore than being forced to watch someone let it all hang out. If the smell bothers you, you can inhale through your mouth and there's no detrimental impact on your body.

 

I think offend is not the word. In order to be offended I would have to assume the person took me into account at all. In the instances you mention I personally would just be a random person in the vicinity.

 

I might be made uncomfortable by the situation, but I don't assume my comfort is anyone's responsibility but my own.

 

I just honestly don't understand how you can equate nourishing a child with scratching balls or picking your nose. Or with the assumption that the woman is trying to flaunt herself to get attention.

 

You are clearly made quite uncomfortable and even offended by women breast feeding their children. As a mother that's breast fed and had the glares or nasty comments, I'm trying to understand where your perspective sits and also what your actions might be toward those mothers. Is it that you see breasts as sexual parts or that you are just bothered by bodily functions? And in either case why do you take such a hard and noisy stance on this in particular?

[Lauriebell82]

Oh, please. Your baby only ate when you were home? If you had any other children, that is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE. I doubt your doctor would be able to schedule your son's boy scout physical around your baby's feeding time.

 

What? I would schedule my son's boy scout physical around MY schedule, not vice versa. That's like saying you need to miss work everytime you have an appointment.

[donnamaybe]

Yeah, that's what I think too!!!!

 

The baby comes first, I would definately give up my own convience for the sake of the baby and other's comfort. I guess a lot of women just don't want to do that? I don't know.

 

Easy for one without children to say.

 

We'll see if you're either willing to make the sacrifice required to be a breastfeeding mom which we all know is better for the baby, or in the alternative to be holed up at home for months on end.

[donnamaybe]

What? I would schedule my son's boy scout physical around MY schedule, not vice versa. That's like saying you need to miss work everytime you have an appointment.

 

Go ahead and tell us your baby's exact feeding schedule which changes ALL THE TIME as they grow - when you have one.

 

People without children wouldn't know that.

[Lauriebell82]

And most women also don't compare the act of breastfeeding with being trapped in an elevator with a farting man, or to a man scratching his ball sack either. I would think the ol' instincts would prevent such a disgusting comparison.

 

Then again, I knew a mare who, after she gave birth, refused to nurse her foal. I guess some have it and some don't.

 

Why are you quoting me? I didn't say that...

 

Breastfeeding doesn't really COMPARE to another instance. They are different circumstances, I think.

[donnamaybe]

As for appointment times with a doc, I work M-F 8:00 to 4:30. Try making a doctor appt outside of those hours.

[Kasan]

Oh, please. Your baby only ate when you were home? If you had any other children, that is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE. I doubt your doctor would be able to schedule your son's boy scout physical around your baby's feeding time.

 

Oh yes please!:D

 

The kids only ate when I was at home! I wasn't tromping around the mall or dining in a restaurant when the kids needed to be fed.

[Lauriebell82]

Easy for one without children to say.

 

We'll see if you're either willing to make the sacrifice required to be a breastfeeding mom which we all know is better for the baby, or in the alternative to be holed up at home for months on end.

 

Yeah, I don't have children and have not been in the situation. I hate when people use that defense mechanism to try and make their point. I'm entitled to my opinion whether I have been in the situation or not.

 

Actually I may not be able to breastfeed. I don't know what kind of schedule I will be on so I guess I can't say what I will do. I do think everyone is different though, my experience won't be the same as your's.

[sb129]

 

Maybe I see it differently because I am not a mother, I don't know.

 

Possibly. As I said, I changed my mind on this issue when I became a mother.

 

Yeah, that's what I think too!!!!

 

The baby comes first, I would definately give up my own convience for the sake of the baby and other's comfort. I guess a lot of women just don't want to do that? I don't know.

 

Well LB, its not as simple as that. Babies don't always do exactly what you would like them to do, and mothers still have to live their lives around them!

Often "scheduled" feeds don't happen on time, or the baby has a growth spurt (I was glad to not bottle feed then when WB needed feeding every two hours!) or you need to go the doctors or you have a mother and baby group or whatever.

 

Again, I would be interested to see what your opinion is when you have had babies. Just to see how you perceive it when.

 

I bet that mum you saw was so glad to be out of the house and socialising, it great when you have the freedom to go out and about with your baby. And bottle feeding at a fancy restaurant would be a total PITA, having to ask for hot water to heat the formula etc etc.

[donnamaybe]

As for appointment times with a doc, I work M-F 8:00 to 4:30. Try making a doctor appt outside of those hours.

 

And if I want to go out to dinner with my man and my older children (of which I had two at the time my youngest was breastfeeding) AND my new baby, no uptight person with their nose in the air and a superiority complex is going to chase me out of the restaurant with their nasty comments or pointed glares.

[Lauriebell82]

As for appointment times with a doc, I work M-F 8:00 to 4:30. Try making a doctor appt outside of those hours.

 

And if I want to go out to dinner with my man and my older children (of which I had two at the time my youngest was breastfeeding) AND my new baby, no uptight person with their nose in the air and a superiority complex is going to chase me out of the restaurant with their nasty comments or pointed glares.

 

Oh come on now. That's like saying the woman who breastfeeds at the restaurant in front of other's is a selfish biatch who doesn't care about other people.

 

Neither is true of course, neither opinion makes you a horrible or mean person. There are ALWAYS going to be things that make other's uncomfortable. The world would be like Pleasantville if that didn't happen.